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This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that multilateral adaptation finance largely treats climate risk as a local phenomenon, failing to address transboundary and 'teleconnected' risks that cross borders through trade, financial flows, and shared ecosystems. The authors propose a shift toward 'systemic resilience'—interventions focusing on whole systems rather than individual countries—to deliver shared benefits for both recipient and contributor nations.

This research paper addresses the lack of focus on transboundary climate risk in adaptation planning, arguing that current research focuses too heavily on local and direct impacts. The authors propose a new seven-step protocol for case-study researchers to better identify and assess systemic, transboundary risks and their associated risk ownership.